Former D.C. Mayor Reminds Cities to Retain a Sense of Place

Anthony Williams, who served two terms as D.C. mayor and is credited with the city's turnaround, spoke about creating great neighborhoods at a panel event held by local media company Elevation DC. Cities, he said, need to retain their sense of place.

1 minute read

December 10, 2014, 6:00 AM PST

By elevationdc


Despite being held on a cold, rainy night, ElevationDC's panel discussion, "Creating Great Neighborhoods" attracted a full house of more than 100 people on December 2.

The event began with former D.C. mayor Anthony Williams reminding the crowd that it hadn't been all that long since Washington, D.C. was the laughing stock of the country due to financial troubles a few decades ago. 

"We really were just struggling for basic respect," he said. 

The city has come a long way since then, and done a lot of work to rebuild and reinvent itself. Much of what has been done here to attract new residents and bring in new revenue is being celebrated and even emulated by other cities now. 

But more work remains, Williams added, and there are still problems to fix and areas that need attention. "We are about half way up the mountain. We've come a long way, but we have a long way to go." 

While glad for the new retail that has reinvigorated D.C., Williams said it is extremely important for the city to first and foremost retain its own sense of place. You always want, he said, a feeling that you are in a neighborhood of Washington, D.C. You don't just want to walk around and find the same things and the same stores you would find in any other city on the globe. 

Tuesday, December 9, 2014 in Elevation DC

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Cover CM Credits, Earn Certificates, Push Your Career Forward

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

July 16, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Green vintage Chicago streetcar from the 1940s parked at the Illinois Railroad Museum in 1988.

Chicago’s Ghost Rails

Just beneath the surface of the modern city lie the remnants of its expansive early 20th-century streetcar system.

July 13, 2025 - WTTV

Blue and silver Amtrak train with vibrant green and yellow foliage in background.

Amtrak Cutting Jobs, Funding to High-Speed Rail

The agency plans to cut 10 percent of its workforce and has confirmed it will not fund new high-speed rail projects.

July 14, 2025 - Smart Cities Dive

Worker in yellow safety vest and hard hat looks up at servers in data center.

Ohio Forces Data Centers to Prepay for Power

Utilities are calling on states to hold data center operators responsible for new energy demands to prevent leaving consumers on the hook for their bills.

July 18 - Inside Climate News

Former MARTA CEO Collie Greenwood standing in front of MARTA HQ with blurred MARTA sign visible in background.

MARTA CEO Steps Down Amid Citizenship Concerns

MARTA’s board announced Thursday that its chief, who is from Canada, is resigning due to questions about his immigration status.

July 18 - WABE

Rendering of proposed protected bikeway in Santa Clara, California.

Silicon Valley ‘Bike Superhighway’ Awarded $14M State Grant

A Caltrans grant brings the 10-mile Central Bikeway project connecting Santa Clara and East San Jose closer to fruition.

July 17 - San José Spotlight